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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


GODS AND HEROES 


LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 
Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 

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The Argon autic Ex- 
pedition AND THE 
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lANA 



Life Stories for Young People 


GODS AND HEROES 


Translated and adapted from the German of 
Ferdinand Schmidt and Carl Friedrich Becker 

BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Author of “ Musical Memories “ Standard Operas etc* 
Translator of “ Memories “ Immenseef* etc. 


WITH FRONTISPIECE 



CHICAGO 

A. C. McCLURG y CO. 
1912 


|2.-Z^'55I 


rZl<g 

•\ 


S 35 \ 

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Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 
1912 


Published September, 1912 



THB.PLIMPTOH*PRHSS 
[ W • D • O ] 

NORWOOD<MASS<U<S 'A 


0.S-° 

^CU319945 


Cransiator^fi: preface 


I N a rare little volume in my possession, written 
by William Sheldon, F.A.S., and published by 
Isaiah Thomas, Jr., at Worcester, Mass., in 
1 8 10 , over a century ago, the author introduces his 
“History of the Heathen Gods and Heroes of Anti- 
quity” in the following quaint manner: “People of 
weak minds and of little learning, who have tasted 
the Pierian spring but not drunk deep at it, when 
they read an account of the Heathen Gods and God- 
desses and of the images dedicated to them, and 
hear that the heathens were Idolators, or worship- 
pers of Images, give credit to these stories, without 
any further inquiry or trouble. It may not, there- 
fore, be unnecessary to inform persons of this descrip- 
tion, that the people of all the nations which ever 
existed under heaven have believed that there 
existed one God, who is Almighty and the Maker 

[v] 


TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE 


of all things. But there have been people who 
believed also in inferior or subordinate gods, who 
were agents or mediators between God and man; 
and who were employed in carrying on the wo-rks 
of Providence and of the creation or Nature.” 

This quaint effort to show the impropriety of 
treating any description of religion with unneces- 
sary disrespect applies to this volume, which the 
translator has adapted from the German. Our old 
author might have added to his statement that 
there is rare beauty and fascination in many of these 
Grecian myths and that many a one has wished 
with Wordsworth that he might 

“ Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea, 

Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.” 

The old gods and minor deities in these “short 
stories” also appeal to us by their human qual- 
ities, and many an important moral lesson may be 
read in the fate of unfortunate minor deities who 
offended the higher gods. The sketches are in 
story form and are told in a refined and entertain- 
[vi] 


TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE 


ing manner. Several of the higher gods and god^ 
desses are not included in this volume, as they 
appear most interesting in the other volumes in this 
series — “Achilles,” “Ulysses,” “Argonauts’ Expe- 
dition and Labors of Hercules.” 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, May, 1912. ^ 


[vii] 


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Contents 


Chapter 

I 

Prometheus .... 




Page 

13 

II 

Deucalion and Pyrrha 




25 

III 

Hermes (Mercury) . 




33 

IV 

Phaethon 




39 

V 

Orpheus 




49 

VI 

Atalanta . . . . 




53 

VII 

Tantalus 




57 

VIII 

Salmoneus, Sisyphus, 

IxioN, 

AND 



Phlegyas .... 




61 

IX 

Niobe 




65 

X 

Bellerophon .... 




73 

XI 

Perseus ..... 




77 

XII 

Cadmus 




83 

XIII 

Dionysus (Bacchus) . 




89 

XIV 

Act.®on 




95 

XV 

D.®dalus and Icarus 




lOI 

XVI 

Philemon and Baucis 




109 

XVII 

Arachne 




115 

XVIII 

Hyacinthus .... 




121 


[ix] 


I HE world is too much with us; late and soon^ 
Getting and spending^ we lay waste our powers: 
Little we see in Nature that is ours; 

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! 
This sea that hares her bosom to the moon; 

The winds that will be howling at all hours^ 

And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers; 
For this, for everything, we are out of tune; 

It moves us not. — Great God! Fd rather be 
A pagan suckled in a creed outworn; 

So might I, standing on this pleasant lea. 

Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; 
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea. 

Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. 


Wordsworth 


GODS AND HEROES 


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<15otii0^ ant) l^eroesf 

Chapter I 

Prometheus 


Z EUS (Jupiter), the mighty divinity, over- 
came the Titans^ and became , the master 
of the heavens and the earth. But not- 
withstanding his hard struggle, he would not have 
been victor had not Prometheus, the Titan, aided 
him. At last Zeus, ruler in the skies, became the 
enemy of Prometheus, who originated the hated 
race of the Titans, and only awaited an opportu- 
nity to punish him. He soon found the oppor- 
tunity, for Prometheus was attached to mankind, 
whom Zeus intended to destroy, in order to people 

^The Titans in Greek mythology were descended from Uranus and 
Gaea (Heaven and Earth). In the latest legends, Titan, father of the 
Titans, gave up supreme power to Cronus, his younger brother, but 
finally regained it. He in turn was overcome by Zeus. 


[13] 


GODS AND HEROES 


the earth with a race of older creation. Prome- 
theus endeavored to dissuade him, but Zeus per- 
sisted in his purpose. Then Prometheus said: 
‘‘Have you forgotten that the curse of the de- 
throned Cronus 1 rests upon you and that by the 
decrees of destiny a mortal only can deliver you 
from that curse?’’ 

When Zeus heard this, he decided to spare the . 
race of mortals. They were leading a wretched life 
and were unconscious of the spiritual or intellec- 
tual gifts conferred upon them by their creator. 
They knew not how to fell the trees and build houses 
to protect them against wind, rain, and the heat 
of the sun. Like the beasts, they lived in dens 
and caves which no ray of light penetrated. They 
knew none of the signs of the approach of the fruit- 
bringing Autumn, nor of Winter, nor blooming 
Spring. Destitute of purpose or perception, they 
lived like strangers in a barren world. 

Prometheus pitied them. He explained to them 

' Cronus, father of Zeus, was a Titan, and was dethroned by Zeus 
after he had usurped the government of the world. The Romans 
identified him with Saturn. 

1 14] 


PROMETHEUS 


the rising and setting of the stars and taught them 
how to recognize their orbits. He computed for 
them their numbers, a marvellous feat, gave them 
the power of recollection and the gift of writing, 
that highest of the sciences. He made the ox a 
useful servant to the race by placing the yoke 
upon it and harnessing it to the cart. He bridled 
the wild horse and showed them how to use it for 
riding and drawing the wagon. They also learned 
from him how to build vessels and manage sails. 
He disclosed the depths of the earth to them with 
its treasures of iron, silver, and gold. Up to this 
time, men had no knowledge of plants or their 
healing qualities. Prometheus taught them how to 
avail themselves of this knowledge so as to relieve 
pain and cure disease. He also imparted to them a 
knowledge of what was transacted in the councils 
of the gods and taught them to observe the flight 
of the eagle. 

One element of comfortable living, however, 
was lacking for mankind. It was fire. Prometheus 
resolved to bring it to them from heaven, but the 
ruler of the skies ordered him to desist. Watch- 

[IS] 


GODS AND HEROES 


ing his opportunity, Prometheus soared aloft, 
approached the chariot of the sun, and stuck a rod 
which he carried in his hand in its blazing wheels. 
Then descending like a falling star, he brought to 
men the blessing of the fire. 

Hermes (Mercury), the swift messenger of the 
gods, saw this and at once brought the news to 
the god father, Zeus. The all-powerful one wrath- 
fully directed Hermes: ‘‘Up, hasten to Hephaestus 
(Vulcan) 1 and say that the ruler of the gods needs 
his service.” Vulcan, god of fire, was also god of 
all the artificers who are engaged with fire. He 
was honored as the discoverer of all the implements 
of the chase, the house, the field, and war, and was 
also famous as the builder of the gold-gleaming 
dwellings of the gods. So great was his skill that 
he constructed bellows which could make the flame 
stronger or weaker, as he wished, as well as sumptu- 
ous couches which, at a sign from him, were placed 
in the assemblies of the gods for their use. 

When Hephaestus appeared before the ruler of 
the skies, he was requested to make a maiden of 

‘ Vulcan, in mythology, was the son of Jupiter and Juno. 

[i6] 


PROMETHEUS 


gold. He set about the work at once and when 
Apollo, the next morning, mounted his flaming 
chariot to shed the heavenly light both upon gods 
and men, a splendid image was finished which in 
appearance, speed, and movement resembled a beau- 
tiful mortal. Zeus then ordered the other deities 
to adorn the maiden, who was called Pandora, 
most sumptuously. The celestial ones came at 
once bearing gifts. From Athene (Minerva) she 
received a girdle. The Horae (Hours) crowned her 
with flowers and the Graces adorned her with exqui- 
site rings and bracelets. Mercury brought her a 
pernicious gift, that of flattery and unfaithfulness, 
which was to bring misfortune to men. Thus fitted 
out with deluding charms and seductive graces. 
Pandora was conducted to earth by the beautiful 
winged messenger. From Zeus she had received a 
golden box, which contained a multitude of evils 
dangerous to men, and from which they had suf- 
fered before Prometheus relieved them. Pandora 
offered it to him as a gift from Zeus. The watch- 
ful son of Titan, however, rejected the gift of the 
god. Thereupon Pandora offered it to Epime- 

[17] 


GODS AND HEROES 


theus, a brother of Prometheus. He was deluded, 
forgot his brother’s warning, and married the fasci- 
nating Pandora. The false one immediately opened 
the golden box and the multitude of evils from which 
Prometheus had saved mortals spread themselves 
abroad once more and men found themselves again 
plunged into the very miseries from which they 
had been saved by the son of the Titan. Thus it 
happened that the seductive charm of woman 
brought misery to mortals.^ 

Zeus again summoned Hephaestus and the two 
giants, Kratos and Bia, and said to them: “Seize 
Prometheus, conduct him to the limit of earth, and 
fasten him to one of the loftiest cliff walls of the 
Caucasus.” The giants undertook the task will- 
ingly, but not so Hephaestus, who had compassion 
for Prometheus. But at last he had to submit to 
the will of the ruler of gods and men. Prometheus 
was seized and taken to the desolate cliff. Reluc- 
tantly Hephaestus went to work to fasten the son of 
Titan with adamantine fetters to the cliff, while 
Kratos and Bia helped in the task. 


^ The legend also states that hope remained in the box. 

[I8] 


PROMETHEUS 


“Noble Prometheus,” said Hephaestus, “it pains 
my soul to lend my skill to such a deed as this. 
What wretchedness awaits thee! Thousands of 
years must pass and no end to thy suffering! Never 
wilt thou have sight of one human being to comfort 
thee. The strength of thy limbs will wane in the 
heat of the sun and longingly thou wilt yearn for 
the star-sown night to cover thee with its mantle 
and bring coolness to thy burning wounds.” 

Thereupon Hephaestus and the two servants of 
Zeus left the fettered one, who cried out: “Thou 
sacred sky! Ye swift-winged winds! Thou bil- 
lowy thundering ocean! Earth, thou all-giver! 
Sun, thou all-seer, I cry to you. Behold the fate 
which has overtaken me, a deity. By the decree of 
the ruler of all I must endure constant bitter pain 
a thousand years. But I will submit to the decree, 
knowing that the power of fate is irresistible.” 

His groans were heard by the winged Oceanides in 
the crystalline grotto of their father, Oceanusd They 
hurried to him and when they witnessed the fate of 

^ Oceanus in Greek mythology is typical of the ocean and stream 
earlier than Poseidon. 

[19] 


GODS AND HEROES 


the son of Titan, they filled the air with lamentation. 
Sorrowfully they turned away. Soon appeared their 
father, the gray Oceanus, upon his winged sea horse, 
inquiring what Prometheus had done that he should 
be exposed to such a dreadful penalty. When he 
was told, he promised Prometheus to entreat mercy 
from Zeus. But Prometheus admonished him, 
saying: “Well I know you have always been my 
friend, worthy Oceanus, but I pray you do not 
appeal to Zeus for me. It would avail me nothing 
and only prejudice Zeus against you.” 

Concealing his deep grief in his heart, Oceanus 
left the tortured one. 

A long time passed. Zeus, believing that the 
Titan’s obstinate spirit had been broken, sent his 
winged messenger, Hermes, to him, who said: “Zeus 
desires to know what you heard from your brother 
about that marriage which, if he enters into it, will 
some time precipitate his ruin. You know it and 
have found how severely he punishes the theft of the 
fire. So anger him no longer, but tell him what he 
wishes to know.” 

Prometheus replied: “Never shall Zeus know 
[20] 


PROMETHEUS 


what he desires to learn until I am freed from my 
fetters and relieved of my torments.” 

Hermes returned to the ruler of the skies and told 
him that Prometheus, in spite of his unspeakable 
torments, still remained obstinate. Zeus stormed 
wrathfully and decided to subject his victim to 
still more dreadful punishment. All at once black 
clouds gathered over Caucasus, fiery thunderbolts, 
hurled by his hand, shook the lofty jagged cliffs, 
and the roar of the hurricane filled all the space 
between the sky and earth. 

“Wrathful, implacable deity,” cried Prometheus, 
“I know this is the manifestation of thy power, 
but thou canst not move me.” 

Then he heard a fearful bellowing issuing from the 
depths, the earth shook, and great waves hurled 
themselves upon him and the cliff to which he was 
fastened. A year ran its course, and when finished, 
Zeus again dispelled the darkness about the cliff, 
but with no intention of mitigating Prometheus’ 
punishment. On the other hand, he determined 
to make it harder. He sent a vulture who attacked 
his body and devoured his liver. This torment 

[21 ] 


GODS AND HEROES 


was renewed daily, for every night his liver grew 
again. Zeus also vowed that as Prometheus, being 
a god, could not die, he should hang on the cliffs of 
Caucasus forever. And thus it happened through 
many generations of men. 

At last the spirit of Titan’s son was broken and 
he longed for peace and freedom. The other Titans 
who were once overcome by Zeus and hurled into 
Tartarus, had long regained their freedom. Recon- 
ciliation, however, seemed impossible, for Zeus had 
once vowed he would not send away the vulture 
and strike off his fetters unless a deity should under- 
take to descend into dark Tartarus. 

At this time Heracles (Hercules), a son of Zeus 
by a mortal, was traversing the world, fighting 
every monster which was endangering the human 
race. In his travels he came to Caucasus. To his 
utter astonishment he saw the son of a god fastened 
there and asked him why he had to endure such 
agonies. Thereupon Prometheus told him of his 
fate and Hercules determined to rescue him. Throw- 
ing aside his lion skin and club, and taking a 
poisoned arrow from his quiver, he shot the vulture, 
[22] 


PROMETHEUS 


tore his claws from the Titan’s groin, and threw 
him into an abyss. Then Hercules released him 
from his chains and conducted him to Zeus. Pro- 
metheus unwillingly announced to him that a mar- 
riage with the beautiful sea nymph Thetis would 
be his ruin. The reconciliation, however, was not 
complete, for Zeus’ vow was not yet satisfied. He 
gave Prometheus a gold ring in which Hephaestus 
had set a little stone from the Caucasus. “Prom- 
ise me always to wear this ring,” said Zeus, “and 
my vow may be accomplished.” Prometheus took 
the ring and made the promise. Then Hercules 
fetched Cheiron, whom he had unintentionally 
wounded with a poisoned arrow, to the deity. 
Cheiron, who was suffering unspeakable torments 
and longed to die, gladly descended into Tartarus. 
Thus the conciliation was complete. 

Warned by Prometheus, Zeus married Thetis to 
a mortal. King Peleus. At once a multitude of lovely 
sea nymphs came to escort the bride and groom in 
festal procession. Zeus and the other divinities 
also joined in the festivities and celebrated the 
marriage of the beautiful sea nymph. 

[23] 




Chapter II 

Deucalion and Pyrrha 


T he human race, which had been steadfast 
under misfortune, could not bear good 
fortune. It became sensual, effeminate, 
and haughty. Zeus heard of this human degen- 
eracy, assumed human form, and betook himself to 
earth to discover how much of truth there was in 
these evil reports. He found a worse state of things 
than he had feared. Every kind of abomination 
prevailed. At the close of day he went to the pal- 
ace of Lycaon, king of Arcadia. To those assembled 
there he gave a sign that a deity was present. They 
immediately began to pray. Then said the king: 
“Let us see whether this is a deity or a mortal like 
ourselves.’’ If mortal, he resolved to slay him in 
the night. He first of all prepared a banquet for 
him. He cut the throat of a man who had been 
sent to him by the people of Molossia to be scourged, 

[25] 


GODS AND HEROES 


took the still quivering members, threw some of 
them into boiling water, and placed the rest of them 
upon a spit and held them over the fire. 

When Zeus saw this he shook the earth and at 
once the mighty castle was in ruins. The king fled 
in terror to the fields. He tried to speak, but his 
voice was an awful howl. And as his voice changed, 
so did his whole body. He had hair instead of gar- 
ments and his arms became feet. As a wolf, with 
eyes glaring, with a longing for blood, and with the 
action of the wild beasts, he sprang among the 
herds and his teeth were covered with the blood of 
the strangled animals. 

Zeus not only determined to punish Lycaon, but 
prepared for the destruction of the whole human 
race. He betook himself to Olympus, entered his 
golden palace, called the other deities together, and 
announced his decision to them. Some approved 
of it; to others the word of their master caused 
pain and they said: ‘‘Who will build us sacrificial 
altars in future if the race of mortals is destroyed.?” 

Zeus promised to people the earth with another 
and better race and seized his thunderbolts to hurl 
[26] 


DEUCALION AND PYRRHA 


them over all the earth. But suddenly he feared 
that the storm of fire might spread through the whole 
sacred firmament and reduce the universe to ashes. 
Therefore he dismissed the one-eyed Cyclops, who 
forged his bolts, and decided to destroy the world 
by a deluge. He summoned iEolus, god of the 
winds, and ordered him to retain in his grotto the 
winds which dispel the rain clouds and release only 
the south wind. This was done. The south 
wind immediately spread its heavy, wet wings 
over sea and land, its foreboding face was concealed 
by the night, mists covered its brow, its heavily 
waving beard dripped with rain, and from its curls 
torrents of water poured down. Zeus pressed the 
cloud with his broad hand and at once the thunder 
resounded through immeasurable space. Swiftly 
the goddess Iris ascended and descended her seven- 
hued rainbow, drawing water from the agitated sea 
and filling the clouds. All growing things were 
bent to the ground and it was not long before the 
husbandman’s hopes disappeared before the raging 
flood. 

Poseidon (Neptune), god of the sea, was the ruler 

[27] 


GODS AND HEROES 


in the universe most actively engaged in the work of 
destruction. He ordered the rivers to break through 
the dikes and overflow the land. He himself rode 
over the sea in his chariot and excited it so that it 
hurled its foaming waves upon the shore. Then he 
smote the earth with his golden trident so that it 
trembled and the water covered every place. Trees, 
houses, and temples fell before the wrath of the 
flood. The rush of the storm drowned the piteous 
shrieks of men, who, sitting in the trees or upon 
ridge-poles, vainly stretched out their hands to the 
darkened heavens. Others fled in multitudes to 
the mountains to save themselves among the 
peaks. But higher and higher rose the flood. 
Some died of fright, some of despair. Others, 
bereft of reason, rushed aimlessly here and there, 
until with horrible shrieks they were swallowed up 
in the raging flood. 

The waters soon flowed over the tops of the high- 
est mountains and only the sky and water were 
visible. Here and there men rowed in boats, and 
tigers and lions vainly sought to save their lives by 
swimming. The sheep were in no danger from the 
[28] 


DEUCALION AND PYRRHA 


wolves when the flood swept among them. Every 
animal perished. Even the birds, which can remain 
long in the air, at last sank with tired wings into 
the water. 

Only one place was free from water, the heights 
of Parnassus, which tower among the clouds. There 
a small boat was caught in which were Deucalion, 
king of Thessaly, and his spouse. They lifted 
their voices and implored a nymph dwelling in a 
grotto near by to save them. Zeus saw them cling- 
ing to the wall of the height, and knowing that they 
were the only god-fearing ones among the thousands 
who had perished, decided to let them live. So 
the winds following the rain clouds were checked 
and the blue sky smiled once more and Apollo 
ascended in his flaming chariot. Poseidon stilled 
the sea. He gave a signal with his trident and the 
vast tide ebbed. Then he called his son Triton, 
ruler of the depths of the sea, who dwelt there in a 
golden house with his mother Amphitrite. He was 
half man and half fish, with a bluish scaly skin. 
Triton appeared and Poseidon ordered him to call 
back the floods and streams which had swept over 

[29] 


GODS AND HEROES 


the land. In obedience to his father’s request 
Triton raised his wreathed shell and from sunrise 
to sunset sounded a blast which called all the waters 
back to their depths. The flood receded, mountains 
and hills appeared above the water, and gradually 
the plains and forests and devastated fields became 
visible. 

Deucalion and Pyrrha left their boat, and as he 
looked around him at the widespread desolation he 
said: “Oh my spouse, bound to me by ties of kin- 
dred and marriage, behold, we are the only human 
beings in the wide world. How wretched would it 
then have been if death also had overtaken me! If 
thou hadst been swept away by the flood I should 
have followed after thee, for without thee I could 
not have lived, best beloved! Oh! would that I 
possessed my father’s divine power of creating men 
and bestowing life upon them.” 

Tears choked his voice and Pyrrha wept also. 
At last they decided to implore Themis^ to have 
mercy and relieve them in their sore straits, and 
repaired to the temple of the goddess. What a 


1 Themis in mythology was the goddess of justice and peace. 

[30] 


DEUCALION AND PYRRHA 


spectacle! The aisles were covered with slime and 
the fires upon the altars were extinguished. They 
fell upon their knees, kissed the cold stones, and 
prayed: “Divine, all-gracious, and merciful one, 
behold! Empty is the world! We alone remain of 
all its mortals. Oh pity us and let us once more 
live among people like ourselves.’’ 

At once through the halls of the temple resounded 
these words: ‘‘Leave the temple, cover your 
heads, loosen your girdles, and throw behind you 
the bones of your great mother.” 

They were mute with astonishment for a time, but 
at last Pyrrha said with trembling voice: “Be not 
angry with me, oh goddess, that I cannot throw my 
mother’s bones behind me. Thereby I should dis- 
turb the dear one now wandering among the shades 
in Tartarus.” 

Sadly they descended the temple steps, Deucalion 
meditating over the mysterious message to them. 
At last the shadows of grief in his heart were 
dissipated and he said: “Best beloved, the 
goddess intends no harm to us. I believe this 
is the meaning of her message. The earth is the 

[31 ] 


GODS AND HEROES 


mother, the stones are her bones. So we will 
throw them.” 

They began at once to obey the goddess’s mes- 
sage. They loosened their girdles, covered their 
heads, and threw stones behind them. Suddenly 
life began to manifest itself in the stones. They 
began to enlarge and take shape. Soon they 
resembled blocks of marble which the sculptor is 
fashioning in human form. The softer parts were 
changing to flesh, the harder to bones. At last 
appeared the forms of living persons. The stones 
which Deucalion threw behind him became men and 
those which Pyrrha threw became women. Thus 
was the earth repopulated with beings made of 
stone — a race of strong minds and stout bodies. 


Chapter III 

Hermes (^Mercury) 


H ermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, 
daughter of Atlas the Titan, eldest brother 
of Prometheus. His divine descent was 
revealed on the very first day by his extraordi- 
nary shrewdness and ingenuity, for he arose at 
noon from his cradle and hurriedly left the dark 
grotto of his mother. Espying a speckled tor- 
toise feeding in the high grass, and laughing at the 
sight, he cried out: “Welcome, pretty one! It is 
well said where thou abidest there is neither anger 
nor witchcraft, and yet I think I will kill thee to 
make of thy shell a pleasant plaything.” There- 
upon he seized the tortoise with both hands, went 
back to the grotto, and killed the animal. He per- 
forated the speckled shell, inserted pegs in the open- 
ings, covered the whole with ox-hide, added a neck 
to it, and strung seven well-toned strings. It was 

[33] 


GODS AND HEROES 


all accomplished in the twinkling of an eye. He 
tested the strings and, behold, they resounded power- 
fully and harmoniously to his song. As he sang, 
another emotion filled his soul. He bethought him- 
self of flesh, for he already had an appetite for 
well-prepared tasteful meat. 

As the sun-chariot disappeared beneath the red 
gleaming waves of Oceanus, he took his well-toned 
lute and came at twilight to the shadowy moun- 
tains of Pireas, where the cattle of the Sun-god feed 
in luxuriant meadows. The crafty child enticed 
fifty of the herd to follow him and made them go 
backwards so that the hoof tracks would be con- 
cealed. That his own footsteps should not betray 
him, he took tamarisk and myrtle twigs and wove 
magic sandals with them. Thus he wandered, 
driving the herd before him, by many devious ways 
over blooming meadows and darkly wooded heights. 
At last night waned and the soft light which Selene 
(Luna) sends down when Apollo sinks in Oceanus 
was dissipated by the rosy shimmer of Eos (Aurora) 
in the smiling eastern sky. 

When Hermes reached the river Alpheus with the 

134] 


HERMES (MERCURY) 


cattle, he herded them and kindled a fire. He then 
seized two of them by their horns, threw them to the 
ground with great strength, and killed them with a 
sharp steel. Then he took the best pieces and 
spread them on wooden spits, but saved the skins 
for drying. Next he divided the flesh in twelve 
parts and offered them to the twelve highest 
Olympian deities. As he saw the smoke of offering 
rising to the skies, a longing seized him to learn 
from the flesh whether he belonged to the divine 
race which is nourished by nectar and ambrosia. 
But his exalted intelligence restrained him from 
the experiment. He left the flesh untouched, sur- 
rounded it with dry pieces of wood, and burned it 
together with the heads and hoofs of the animals. 
As the smoke rose, he threw his sandals into the 
Alpheus and hastened back to the grotto. Lightly 
as the breeze he slipped through the oval opening, 
sprang into his cradle, and like a playful child 
took his lute in his left hand. But his mother 
was not deceived and she scolded him for his long 
absence. 

The rosy Aurora spread over the morning sky, 

[35] 


GODS AND HEROES 


and when Apollo rose in his chariot with its heavily- 
maned white steeds he looked down upon the lonely 
meadows and missed the cattle. Amazed, he looked 
for the tracks of their feet, but nowhere found a 
trace of them, and no sign that man or god had 
been that way. He came to Onchestus, where he 
found an old man, keeper of a vineyard, and asked 
him about it. The old man replied : “ It was a wee 
child who swung a wand with his hand and drove 
the herd away.’’ 

Apollo thought of Hermes and betook himself to 
Maia’s grotto. When Hermes saw the Sun-god’s 
dazzling face he buried himself deeper in the snow- 
white sheets and pretended to be asleep. But Apollo 
saw through the cunning of the child. He searched 
through the cavern and opened all the spacious 
chambers. In one he saw nectar and ambrosia and 
plenty of gold, in another chests of cedar filled with 
the purple and snow-white garments of the nymph. 
But as he nowhere found what he sought, he stepped 
to the cradle and said: “Cunning boy, arise and show 
me the cattle you carried off. If you do not hasten 
to obey me, I will hurl you without mercy into the 

[36] 


HERMES (MERCURY) 


blackened depths of Tartarus, from which no one 
can rescue you.” 

As Hermes struggled to rise, Apollo seized him 
and took him to Zeus, who, after hearing the Sun- 
god’s complaint, laughed loudly and released his 
cunning son. After giving some living cattle to 
the Sun-god, Zeus kept Hermes and he became the 
deity of barter and business and the swift mes- 
senger of the gods. All ways were soon known to 
him and his winged feet bore him with the swift- 
ness of the wind over land and sea. 


[37] 


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Chapter IV 

Phaethon 


C LYMENE bore a son, named Phaethon, who 
grew up a handsome and stately youth. 
His father was Phoebus (Apollo), the Sun- 
god. Once, when he boasted of his heavenly de- 
scent, his companions laughed at him. Shame and 
anger filled the youth’s heart and he resolved, 
upon the advice of his mother, to ask the Sun-god 
himself if he were not his father. After wandering 
through Ethiopia and India, he at last reached 
Apollo’s palace. Lofty columns, some made of 
solid gold, others of fire-colored rubies, dazzled 
him. Their splendid pediments were made of pol- 
ished ivory and the folding door of lustrous silver, 
the work of the artistic divinity, Hephaestus. There 
too were to be seen upon the billows of the sea the 
horn-blowing Triton, near him gray Proteus, whose 
office it is to protect the sea god’s seals, and Doris, 

[39] 


GODS AND HEROES 


with her daughters, the Nereids.^ Some of these 
sea maidens were represented as sitting upon the 
rocks and drying their green hair, others, riding 
upon dolphins. Above them was the arching 
firmament. 

Phaethon approached the palace, but for a spell 
remained in the hall at a distance, for the bril- 
liancy which emanated from the sparkling crown of 
his progenitor blinded him. Apollo, with a purple 
robe flowing from his shoulders, sat upon a golden 
throne gleaming with jewels. To the right and left 
of him stood the year, the month, the day, and 
the hours. Golden-tressed Spring was adorned 
with a wreath, and Summer, with sheaves of corn. 
Autumn carried a red basket with golden grape 
clusters on her head, and Winter could be recog- 
nized by his icy beard and silver hair. 

Apollo, delighted with the sight of his blooming 
son, said: “What is it, Phaethon, that has brought 
you here?” 

“Divine father,” replied the son, “they mock at 

1 Doris in mythology was the wife of Nereus, a seer dwelling in the 
^gean Sea, and had fifty daughters, called Nereids. 

[40] 


PHAETHON 

me when I call you father. Give me some proof 
that I am your, son.” 

Thereupon Apollo took his sparkling crown from 
his brow, called his son to him, and embracing him 
said: “What your mother has told you is true. I 
am Apollo, your father. That you may know it 
beyond all question, ask anything of me. What- 
ever it may be, it shall be granted. I promise you 
this by the Stygian Lake, the dark waters of the 
underworld; and such a vow, as you well know, is 
inviolate for us deities.” 

Hardly had his father finished speaking before 
Phaethon, with sparkling eyes, replied : “ I pray you 
let me drive your sun-chariot and winged steeds 
for one day.” 

How Apollo regretted his vow! With mournful 
visage he shook his head and spoke. “Woe is me 
that I must keep my promise. Had I not made it, 
your wish would not have been granted. But now 
I can do no more than warn you. The fulfilment of 
your wish will result in dreadful dangers. What 
you desire is so great a task that your youth and 
strength are not equal to it. You, a mortal, wish 

[41] 


GODS AND HEROES 


to be immortal. None of the Olympian gods 
themselves would undertake such a task. It is 
known to them as to mortals that I alone can drive 
the sun-chariot. Zeus himself, mightiest of the 
gods, who holds the thunderbolts in his hand and 
rules over heaven and earth, would not dare to 
drive it. Learn now the dangers which threaten 
you. Only with the greatest exertion can the 
freshly harnessed steeds climb the upward morning- 
path. It is a fearful sight to gaze down from the 
summit of the sun-course. My own heart trembles 
when I reach that spot. Then the path descends, 
growing more and more steep. To accomplish it 
needs a sure hand. Thetis herself, who awaits me 
in the waves, looks up anxiously, fearing I may not 
be able to make the downward plunge. And this is 
not all you must learn. The heavens revolve around 
you constantly, and the high stars weave in circles. 
The goal must be firmly kept in sight in spite of the 
furious oscillation and you must not deviate from 
the course. Oh son, ask yourself seriously if you 
can do this. Think of this, too. Far otherwise 
will the sky appear to you than it does from the 

[42] 


PH AETHON 


earth. You will not journey to cities nor to groves 
with lofty temples, but you will encounter appari- 
tions of wild animals, at sight of which the blood of a 
mortal will turn to ice. How can you manage these 
ungovernable fire steeds which I can hardly bridle, 
so great is their strength? Therefore, oh son, 
abandon your wish. There are so many things in 
heaven and earth better worth the asking which I 
can give you. The granting of your wish means 
your destruction.” 

The deity’s warnings were useless. Phaethon 
repeated his request. As Apollo was bound by his 
vow, he led the youth to the sun-chariot, which was 
a gift from Hephaestus. The axles were golden, 
as well as the shafts and the rims of the wheels, but 
the spokes were of solid silver. The shafts and the 
harness glittered with chrysolite and other precious 
stones. While Phaethon was gazing at the chariot 
in astonishment, Eos opened the purple door lead- 
ing to the halls in which the flowers of heaven at 
all times bloom. The stars disappeared, the morning 
star, last of the gleaming choir, faded and finally 
lost to view. When Selene (Luna) had sunk 

[43] 


was 


GODS AND HEROES 


beneath the sea, Apollo summoned the blessing- 
giving Hours whose duty it was to harness the 
steeds to the sun-chariot. With light step the rosy 
divinities betook themselves to the hall, loosed 
the white steeds from their marble cribs, filled with 
ambrosia, led them to the chariot, and placed their 
trappings on them while Apollo besmeared his 
son’s face with a sacred ointment so that he should 
not be blinded. Then he placed the sparkling crown 
upon his beautiful tresses and said with a sigh: 
“Since I cannot dissuade you, at least take this 
advice to heart. Do not urge the horses with the 
goad, for they go swiftly enough, but hold the reins 
securely, try to restrain their fiery snorting and gov- 
ern them safely. Avoid the South as well as the 
North Pole and keep to the course indicated by the 
ruts of the wheels. Observe further that it is neces- 
sary sky and earth should be equally warm. Go 
neither too high nor too low, lest you burn either 
the heavenly mansions or the dwellings on earth. 
May Fortune help you in all other things, so 
now take the reins and think of my advice. It 
would be vastly better for you to desist from your 

[44] 


PHAETHON 


ruinous folly that I to-day, as usual, may furnish 
light for men and gods.” 

During these last words the headstrong youth 
mounted the chariot and took the reins from the 
hands of his sorrowful father. The neighing of the 
steeds filled the atmosphere. They champed their 
bits and stamped. When Phaethon pulled the reins 
they flew with the chariot. They soon outran the 
swift winds, clove asunder the morning clouds, and 
the vast, immeasurable universe lay before Phae- 
thon’s gaze. The chariot swung from side to side 
as the load was too light. When the steeds noticed 
this, they took to wild flight and left the usual 
course. The youth was overcome by fear. How 
could he find the course again? Not once but many 
times he sought to free the tangled reins. Upward 
went the chariot. When Phaethon looked upon the 
height of the sky, a panic seized him, his knees 
trembled, and all grew dark before his eye. Now 
he repented that he had not heeded his father’s 
warnings, but it was too late. He was hurled 
about like a dismasted vessel in raging waters. He 
knew not what to do. He had already traversed a 

[45] 


GODS AND HEROES 


great part of the sky, but endless was the expanse 
which still lay before him. In despair he looked 
ahead and behind. He still held the reins, but he 
no longer made any effort to direct the steeds. A 
great terror awaited him as he suddenly beheld 
frightful apparitions above him. Terrified by them, 
the steeds ran still farther from the course, drag- 
ging the swaying, cracking chariot after them. 
The elevated plains of earth took fire. Broad fis- 
sures appeared in the ground, the forest disappeared 
in a furious sea of flame, and a luminous dust arose 
from the meadows and harvest fields. Cities and 
their people were destroyed. Fiery clouds swept 
over places teeming with life shortly before. The 
mountains were masses of seething fire. Phaethon, 
gazing about, saw nothing but flames. Higher and 
higher they rose, and at last the sun-chariot was 
surrounded by clouds of hot moisture. Phaethon 
no longer knew where he was. Then, so says the 
myth, the terrified nymphs fled, mourning over their 
fountains and waters destroyed by fire. The earth 
became such a vast chasm that the glare of the fire 
was reflected in Tartarus and the gods of the under- 

[46] 


PHAETHON 


world were terrified. The sea itself retreated from 
its shores, its bed rose, islands appeared where there 
had been none, fishes and seals lay dead upon the 
banks. The sea nymphs fled with Doris and Nereus 
to a cool grotto, where the air was so glowing that 
Poseidon had to plunge in water the arm with which 
he raised his trident to try and hurl Phaethon down. 

When Zeus beheld what was happening he pitied 
the dying world. With a thunderbolt he killed the 
audacious charioteer. A lock of his hair, taking 
fire, floated down like a falling star. The terrible 
bolt frightened the steeds. The chariot broke and 
axles, spokes, and fragments of the wheels flew in 
all directions. 

Phaethon fell into the river Eridanus and the 
naiads of the stream came to bury his body. 
Apollo, who had seen all that happened to his son, 
sorrowfully veiled his face.^ 

1 The myth also states that Phaethon had three sisters — Phaethusa, 
Lampetie, and Phoebe — and that while they were lamenting Phaethon’s 
death, Zeus turned them into poplar trees, weeping amber instead of 
tears. 


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. / v,'' M.'*, 






Chapter V 

Orpheus 


O RPHEUS was the hero-singer of the Thra- 
cians, who in the ancient times dwelt 
at the foot of the mountains Olympus, 
Parnassus, and Helicon. He was the son of Apollo ^ 
and the muse Calliope ^ and the husband of Eury- 
dice. His name became so celebrated among later 
poets that his power of song was said to have pro- 
duced most marvellous effects. When he struck 
his lute, the fable says, the lions of the forest fawned 
upon him like dogs, rivers halted in their course, 
and the trees and rocks listened to him. He 
accompanied the Argonauts on their expedition 
and accomplished by his music many marvellous 
escapes for them. When he returned from the 

^ He is also said in another myth to have been the son of CEagrus, 
a Thracian river god. 

* The muse of epic poetry. 


[49] 


GODS AND HEROES 


expedition his young wife, Eurydice, and her com- 
panions danced upon a beautiful grass plat one day. 
While engaged in their sports a snake stung her in 
the foot and she died in the very bloom of her youth.^ 
The inconsolable husband poured out his grief in 
tones that filled all hearts with sorrow. Taking his 
lute, he ventured to the entrance of the underworld, 
Tartarus, and entreated Persephone, spouse of 
Hades, god of the underworld, to give him back 
Eurydice. The bars of the gate flew back as he 
sang. With ever tenderer tones he approached the 
place where departed spirits wander. Cerberus, the 
three-headed dog who guards the entrance, quietly 
wagged his tail as he passed, Ixion’s wheel stood 
still,2 and Sisyphus stopped his fruitless task to 
listen to him.® 

‘ Another version of the myth relates that Aristaeus, son of Apollo 
and Cyrene, loved Eurydice and when she repulsed him he pushed her 
into a wood where the serpent stung her, and that the nymphs revenged 
her death by the destruction of his bees. 

2 Ixion is said to have been punished by Jupiter for insulting Juno. 
He was struck by a thunderbolt and sent to Tartarus, where he was 
tied to a wheel which never ceased revolving. 

* Sisyphus was a famous robber killed by Theseus. His punisliment 
was to roll a great rock to the top of a hill which no sooner reached the 
top than it rolled down again. 

Iso] 


ORPHEUS 


Persephone graciously heard Orpheus’ entreaty 
and said: ‘‘Go back whence you came. Eurydice 
shall silently follow. But have a care that you do 
not look at her until you have reached the upper 
world. If you gaze at her but an instant she will 
be lost to you forever.” 

Orpheus turned back. He had not yet seen her. 
Would she follow him or not.? A goddess surely 
would not deceive him. But he heard no step 
behind him. Singing, he went his way for a time, 
and when in the distance he saw the gleam of the 
upper world, he cried “Eurydice” in tender, eager 
tones. No answer was made. Overcome by grief 
and anxiety, he forgot the warning of the goddess. 
An irresistible desire to see her caused him to turn 
his head, and behold his wife was quietly and lightly 
following him. He stretched out his arms to her 
and in an instant the goddess’s warning was realized. 
Eurydice suddenly went back and was never again 
seen by him. 

• His soul was rent with anguish. He wandered 
despairingly with his lute in the Thracian forest, 
where he found among the rocks a swarm of 

[51] 


GODS AND HEROES 


Msenades, those creatures who foregather at the 
festivals of Bacchus and, excited with wine and 
wild debauches, go through the woods inciting 
everyone to attend the revels which are given in 
honor of that divinity. They made a loud clamor 
by clashing their cymbals together and blowing 
trumpets and horns and swung their wands, wound 
with vine leaves and ivy, called the thyrsus, crying, 
‘‘Evoe, Evoe, Bacchus.” 

These Maenades who found Orpheus lamenting for 
Eurydice, snatched his lute away and ordered him 
to entertain them. With horror he turned from 
them and rejected their importunities. That was 
too much for a horde of mad women. They stoned 
him, tore him to pieces, and threw his bleeding 
limbs into the forest. 


Chapter VI 

Atalanta 


S CHCENEUS married in Arcadia and entreated 
the gods to send him a son. When his spouse 
bore him a daughter, he became so enraged 
that he took the child from her mother, carried her 
into the wilderness, and left her there. The child 
was nourished by a bear until she was found by some 
hunters, who took her away, brought her up, and 
named her Atalanta. 

Atalanta grew in beauty and strength and became 
a vigorous huntress, surpassing all men and youths 
in daring, swiftness, and skill. Like Artemis, she 
chose to live unmarried and paid no attention to the 
youths who solicited her hand. When hard pressed 
she at last made this condition. He only should 
have her as wife who surpassed her in running; but 
those who were defeated should die. 

Hard as the condition was, the beauty of the 

[53] 


GODS AND HEROES 


maiden attracted a crowd of suitors. Among them 
was Hippomenes, who came not to take part in 
the race, but to deride the youths who would risk 
their lives by such folly. But when the race began 
and he saw the beautiful huntress, he himself was 
smitten with love and hoped that none of the youths 
would win the prize, so that he might take Atalanta 
home as his wife. The race was finished. The 
maiden returned with the wreath of victory on her 
head, but the youths were taken away to suffer 
death. 

Then Hippomenes stepped forward and said: 
“It was not much glory, O Atalanta, to surpass 
those. Now I wish to race with you. Should for- 
tune favor me, it will be no shame for you to be 
beaten by one who is great grandson of Poseidon, 
god of the waters, and whose courage is not inferior 
to his skill. But should you win, your name will 
be honored in future days.’’ 

Atalanta looked upon the bold youth, and as he 
was pleasing in her sight she was uncertain whether 
she wished his victory or his defeat. Then she 
said: “What divinity, 0 youth, seeks your destruc- 

[54] 


ATALANTA 


tion by giving you the desire to race with me? 
Those foolish ones, they tried and now must die. 
At least let me warn you to seek some other maiden. 
If you reject my advice, I bespeak for you the help 
of the gods that you may be the winner.” 

While the beautiful huntress thus spoke, Hip- 
pomenes called to Venus, who suddenly stood by 
his side, unseen by Atalanta. She gave him three 
golden apples gathered in the gardens of the Hes- 
perides, and told him how to use them. The trum- 
pet sounded and both started swiftly over the course. 
What a sight it was to watch the beautiful crea- 
ture whose feet scarcely touched the ground! 
“Look,” said one, “she could skim over the waving 
wheat without bending it, or fly over the sea with- 
out wetting the soles of her feet.” The encour- 
aging shouts of his friends greeted the youth. 

Hippomenes was overjoyed at the greetings, and 
Atalanta noticed it with pleasure. It seemed unen- 
durable to her to be beaten, but it was even more 
painful to beat and thereby sacrifice Hippomenes’ 
life. For a long time they ran side by side. At 
last Hippomenes threw an apple to the ground. The 

[SS] 


GODS AND HEROES 


maiden saw the rolling gold and stooped to pick 
it up. The delay threw her back in the race, but 
she soon caught up with the youth. He threw the 
second apple. Running out of her course she seized 
it and Hippomenes gained further advantage. He 
was nearing the goal when he heard the distant 
applause of his friends. The maiden put forth all 
her power and soon flew past Hippomenes with burn- 
ing cheeks, so that his death seemed inevitable. 
Then he supplicated the goddess and threw the 
third apple, which rolled far out of the course. 
The maiden would have left it, but Aphrodite 
(Venus) induced her to get it. The goddess made 
the task so difficult that Hippomenes reached the 
goal first. The judges crowned him and Atalanta, 
as she had promised, gave him her hand. 

The day of their marriage was the day of ruin 
for both, for they wholly forgot the goddess and 
neither made thank-offerings nor remembered her 
kind assistance. Aphrodite therefore decreed a 
severe penalty. The angry goddess changed them 
into a pair of lions and harnessed them to her 
golden chariot. 

[56] 


Chapter VII 

Tantalus 


T antalus, a rich and powerful king, was 
deemed worthy by Zeus to visit the gold- 
gleaming mansions of the gods on high 
Olympus and to partake of nectar and ambrosia at 
their tables. Zeus and the other immortals even 
deigned to appear under Tantalus’ roof, to sit at 
his table, and converse in his own speech. Such an 
honor was too great for a mortal to bear. Inflated 
with pride, he made himself hated by gods and men. 
He not only made sport of the names of the immor- 
tals and uttered falsehoods, but he would reveal 
their decrees to mortals and steal nectar and am- 
brosia for his friends. He at last grew so auda- 
cious that he was warned and threatened by the 
gods. Finally his penalty overtook him. Upon 
one occasion when the gods were visiting him and 
partaking of a banquet, he decided to test just how 

[57] 


GODS AND HEROES 


far they were omniscient. He killed his son Pelops, 
prepared his flesh as a test, and set the disgusting 
food before them. All recognized the unnatural 
deed of the father except Ceres, whose heart was 
full of sorrow over the loss of her daughter.^ So it 
happened that she partook of the food, and ate of 
the shoulder of Pelops. Zeus collected the parts of 
the body, substituted an ivory shoulder, recalled 
Pelops’ soul from Tartarus, restored him to life, 
and then plunged Tantalus into Hades to suffer end- 
less torment. 

When Tantalus regained consciousness, he found 
himself standing up to his chin in water. Overcome 
with burning thirst, he bent his head to drink. But 
the more he bent his head the lower the water 
receded, ‘and at last sunk into the ground, leaving 
nothing at his feet but dry, black dust. As he 
raised his head the water raised, only to dis- 
appear whenever he tried to drink. Over his head 
hung branches loaded with fruit. Between the 
green leaves were pomegranates, balsamic pears, 
olives, figs, and spicy apples, but whenever the 


^ Ceres’ daughter was Persephone, who was stolen by Pluto. 

[58] 


TANTALUS 


victim raised his hands to pluck them, a wind 
drove the branches away from him. His torment 
was endless. A restless longing never to be satis- 
fied was the punishment inflicted upon him by the 
revengeful divinity. 


[59] 



1 











Chapter VIII 

Salmoneus, Sisyphus, Ixion, and Phlegyas 


S almoneus was a brother of Tantalus, whom 
Zeus punished so severely for his audacity. 
A similar fate overtook him also, for he had 
a spite against the gods and strove to be equal to 
them. He snatched the offerings intended for 
Zeus from his altars and commanded that they 
should be offered to himself. He imitated Zeus’ 
thunderbolts with lighted torches, which he threw 
down upon the people, and represented thunder 
by the clashing of iron vessels. In fact he imi- 
tated the ruler of the universe in every way. 

When he had reached the summit of his insolence 
his ruin overtook him. Zeus struck him with one 
of his bolts and hurled him down to Tartarus. 

Sisyphus was in the same dreadful place. In the 
upper world he had been guilty of thefts both among 
men and the gods. In the very hour of his death 

[6i] 


GODS AND HEROES 


he perpetrated an evil deed. He seized and bound 
Thanatos, the god of death, with brazen bands, and 
for a long time no one died on earth. The gods of 
the underworld sent to Zeus this message: ‘‘Behold 
Thanatos, who went to the upper world to bring 
Sisyphus here, has not returned. For several 
days no shade has entered our dark kingdom.’’ 
Thereupon Zeus sent for the powerful war god, 
Ares,^ and ordered him to find the god of death. 
He soon found and released him from his fetters, 
and Sisyphus was taken to the underworld by Than- 
atos. Even then he continued his deceitful deeds. 
He said to his wife: “Do not bury my body and 
make the customary death offering to the gods of 
the underworld.” Then he appeared before Hades 
and Persephone and said: “My wife has not buried 
my body and has neglected to make the death offer- 
ing. Let me go to her and remind the faithless one 
of her duty. Then I surely will return.” 

His wish was granted and he returned to the upper 
world. As he did not come back, word was again 
sent to Zeus, who despatched the swift-flying Her- 

^ In the Roman mythology, Mars. 

[62] 


SALMONEUS, SISYPHUS, IXION 


mes to take the deceiver back. When Sisyphus 
saw the divine messenger, his courage gave way, 
for he knew that no mortal could outdo him in cun- 
ning. Hermes took him back to the dark kingdom, 
where a fearful penalty awaited him. He had to 
roll a huge block of marble up a high mountain 
which no sooner reached the top than it went thun- 
dering down. He had to begin his task over again 
with sweat of toil and anguish dropping from his 
brow to the earth. 

Ixion, who had offered violence to the goddess 
Hera,^ suffered another penalty. He was tied to a 
wheel which never ceased revolving. Phlegyas,^ 
who burned the temple of Apollo, was also there. 
He was continually threatened by a rock hanging 
over his head, which exposed him to constant 
apprehension and unspeakable torture. 

^ Hera is Juno in the Roman mythology. 

* Phlegyas was the father of Ixion, and a Thessalian king. 


[63] 


y 





Chapter IX 


Niobe 



MPHION, who married a godlike maiden 


named Niobe, ruled over Thebes. She 
became the mother of seven stately sons 


and seven blooming daughters. 

She would have been esteemed the most blessed 
of mothers if she could have borne her happiness 
with moderation. Her husband Amphion was well- 
nigh equal to the divine singer Orpheus in song and 
lute playing, while in possessions and power she sur- 
passed most princesses of her time. But more than 
all else she prided herself upon her children. 

The prophetess Manto went through the streets 
and ordered the Theban women to the altars of 
Latona. “Arise, you women,’’ she cried; “twine 
your tresses with fresh laurel and bring fragrant 
incense for the mother of Apollo and Diane.” 

The women immediately assembled at the altar 


[65] 


GODS AND HEROES 


of the goddess and supplicatingly scattered incense 
in the sacred flames. Hardly had they begun the 
olfering song when Niobe appeared, proudly advan- 
cing. She wore a gold-embroidered cloak and on 
her brow gleamed a diadem. Standing before 
the altar, she raised her head proudly and said: 
“Foolish ones, would you honor Latona and refuse 
incense at my altar? Was not my father, Tantalus, 
a guest at the tables of the gods? Atlas, who 
carries the world’s axle on his shoulders, is my ances- 
tor. Zeus is another. My power extends even in 
far-off Phrygia. The stones with which Cadmus 
built this city and its castle dance to the music of 
my husband’s lute. Wherever you look in my pal- 
ace you find inexhaustible treasures. But it is my 
richest fortune to be the mother of seven stately 
sons and as many blooming daughters. And yet 
you offer to Latona, who has borne but two, Apollo 
and Artemis (Diane)! Do you not know, foolish 
ones, how she was persecuted by Juno when the 
hour of her delivery approached? She could find 
refuge neither in heaven nor on earth, so contemp- 
tuously was she regarded! At last the island of 
[ 66 ] 


NIOBE 


Delos pitied the fugitive and said to her: ‘Thou 
wanderest about restless, like myself, and so I 
have compassion for thee and offer thee refuge.’ She 
remained at Delos and bore the Twins who are so 
highly esteemed by mortals — Apollo and Diane. 
But am not I with my fourteen children more blest 
than she with two.^ She is almost childless, but I 
am rich in children. So take the laurels from your 
brows and leave the altar of the goddess who is far 
less fortunate than I.” 

The Theban women reluctantly acceded to her 
request. Holding their wreaths in their hands, 
they stole away, but did not forget to supplicate 
their goddess in light murmurs. 

Latona was angry at the insult which Niobe 
offered her. She called her children, Apollo and 
Artemis, and said to them: “Behold, my children, 
how that woman has dishonored me and how the 
Theban women have forsaken my altar!” 

While the goddess was requesting them to avenge 
her shameful treatment, Apollo interposed and 
said: “Say no more, divine mother, your wrongs 
shall be speedily righted.” Artemis said the same. 

[67] 


GODS AND HEROES 

Thereupon they betook themselves to the castle 
built by Cadmus. Nearby they found the fields 
covered with the tracks of horses which Niobe’s 
sons were driving about. Suddenly Ismenos, the 
eldest, cried out in agony. Behold, his heart 
was pierced with a silver arrow shot by Apollo from 
a cloud with his unerring bow. The youth paled 
at the sight and his gold-mounted bridle dropped 
from his hands. He raised his head again and fell, 
dying, from his horse. 

When Sipylus saw this, terror seized him and 
he sought to escape. But his fate overtook him. 
The arrow was shot at him with such skill that it 
pierced his throat. Plunging forward, his blood 
ran down his steed’s white neck and a moment after 
he fell lifeless to the earth. 

Two sons skilled in the ring stood breast to breast 
and the same fatal arrow pierced both. Alphenor, 
seeing them fall, threw himself upon them with 
loud lamentation. His death came quickly, for 
his body was also pierced by an arrow. His means 
had hardly ceased when Damasichthos fell wounded 
in the knee. While trying to stanch the wound, a 
[ 68 ] 


NIOBE 


second arrow pierced him and he sank dead to the 
earth. The youngest of the sons, Ilioneus, alone 
remained. The beautiful boy fell upon his knees 
and thus implored: “All ye gods, spare me!” Apollo 
was touched, but it was too late, for the fatal arrow 
was already on its way and reached its mark — the 
heart of the supplicating one. 

A cry of anguish ran through the city. When the 
king learned what had happened, despair seized 
him and he ran his sword through his body. Niobe 
also heard of the horror, but could not believe it. 
She hurried to the field and found the bleeding bodies. 
How everything had changed for her who but a 
short time before had been so boastful! Her face 
was pitiful to look upon. Even her enemies felt 
compassion. 

She threw herself down, now upon this body, 
now upon that, and covered them with kisses and 
tears. Her hair hung down and the blood of her 
sons stained it and her garments. She raised her 
arms and wildly cried: “Revengeful Latona, now 
satisfy your delight in my sufferings. My sons’ 
death is my death. Triumph, dreadful one, for 

[6g] 


GODS AND HEROES 


thou hast overcome me. But no, for I am still 
richer than thou.” 

Hardly had these words escaped her lips before 
the dismal twang of the bow was heard anew. 
Horror seized upon the people and the seven 
daughters who were rushing to the spot. Niobe 
did not quail. Misfortune had stupefied her. One 
of the daughters, while seeking to draw the arrow 
from the heart of Ilioneus, was pierced and fell 
upon his body. Another, while consoling her 
mother, fell dead. Thus one after the other was 
killed until only the youngest was left. She fled 
to the lap of her mother, who covered her with her 
cloak. “Only this one is left to me. Implacable 
One, only this one,” exclaimed Niobe in despair. 
The death cry was heard, and she held in her arms 
a bleeding body. 

The mother sat amidst her murdered children, 
rigid with sorrow. Her face was like white marble. 
Her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth. The 
blood stood still in her veins. Her whole body 
turned to stone. A storm swept past with a 
frightful roar. Lo, tears of stone fell from her 

[70] 


NIOBE 


eyes. Suddenly the hurricane carried her upon 
its wings and left her among the rocky crags of 
Sipylus.^ 

A marble block is there to-day and every morn- 
ing the cold marble weeps. 


^ Mount Sipylus is near Smyrna. 



Chapter X 

Bellerophon 


B ELLEROPHON, grandson of Sisyphus, re- 
ceived from the gods both beauty and man- 
liness, but the heavenly gifts wrought his 
ruin. Hardly had Queen Antia looked upon him 
before she forgot her duty to the king and tried to 
win him for a husband. When Bellerophon learned 
her purpose, he turned from her with abhorrence. 
Thereupon she determined to destroy him, and said 
to her husband: “Kill that profligate who has 
tried to make me faithless to thee.” 

The king’s heart was filled with anger when he 
learned this, and yet he was reluctant to kill the 
youth himself. So he wrote a letter and sent Belle- 
rophon with it to his father-in-law, the prince of the 
rich country of Lycia, who extended hospitalities to 
him and gave a feast in his honor, which lasted sev- 
eral days. Bellerophon then took the letter, whose 

[73] 


GODS AND HEROES 


contents he did not understand, and gave it to the 
prince. He was amazed when he read that Bellero- 
phon must die, and disliked to deprive so handsome 
a youth of his life. 

Finally he ordered him to fight with the dreadful 
Chimaera, a monster having the fore part that of a 
lion, the middle that of a goat, and the hind part that 
of a dragon, which continually emitted fire from its 
jaws. The gods, compassionating the innocent one, 
sent Pegasus, the winged horse, to him, so that he 
could raise himself in the air. But he could not 
catch the horse. Wearied with his exertions, he 
slept by the edge of a spring. Athene appeared to 
him there, gave him a golden bridle, and said: 
“Make an offering to Poseidon, the sea god, and he 
will aid thee.” When the youth awoke he was hold- 
ing the bridle in his hand. He at once made the 
offering and erected an altar to Athene. Then he 
started to catch the horse, which came to him of its 
own accord. He placed the golden bridle on it and 
in his brazen armor vaulted upon the back of the 
divine steed. It extended its wings at once and 
took him to the lair of the Chimaera. 

[74] 


BELLEROPHON 


Now the battle begaPx. His steed sinking towards 
the earth, Bellerophon hurled a lance at the animal 
which penetrated deep into its back. Roaring with 
rage and pain, the monster reared its dragon body 
and emitted flames. But its exertions were useless, 
for Pegasus flew still farther upwards with the youth. 
It writhed upon the ground and sought to pull out 
the bronze spear with its jaws. Then it crawled 
over the fields, streaking them with blood. Beller- 
ophon followed it, when suddenly it coiled itself 
up as if dead. But it did not deceive him. From 
on high he shot down a deadly arrow which pierced 
through its mane into its neck. It sprang up again, 
but could not reach the youth. Hardly had it 
sunk down to the ground before another arrow 
was driven through its eyes. Fearful was its roar. 
Men and beasts fled far away in terror, but Bellero- 
phon was not afraid. Unerringly he shot the third 
arrow, which struck the monster between the ver- 
tebrae and pierced the marrow. Spouting fire and 
blood, it died. 

When Bellerophon returned from his battle, still 
harder tasks awaited him. He had first to encoun- 

[75] 


GODS AND HEROES 


ter the famous Solymi and then the bold Amazons. 
With the aid of the gods he was victorious, but on 
his homeward way new danger awaited him. The 
king sent out a troop of his most valiant men against 
him and they approached the unsuspecting Bellero- 
phon from an ambush. But it was of no avail, 
for after a short battle he overcame them. When he 
appeared before the prince, the latter said: “Surely 
thou art innocent and a favorite of the gods, else 
thou couldst not have escaped all these dangers.” 
He loved him from that moment and gave him his 
daughter to wife. 

Rich in possessions and honors, Bellerophon 
lived in Lycia. But his good fortune did not last 
long. He attempted to fly to heaven with Pega- 
sus to participate in the assemblies of the gods. 
His efforts were useless and he lost their favor. 
Pegasus was frightened and threw his rider to the 
earth, who fell into a fleld called Aleius because he 
wandered in it blind the rest of his life. Joyless 
were his days and at last he died, his heart broken 
by sorrow. But Pegasus was placed among the 
stars. 

[76] 


Chapter XI 

Perseus 


ylCRISIUS was king in Argos. It was once 
foretold that he would be killed by the 
son of his daughter, Danae. Thereupon 
he shut up his daughter and her son, Perseus by 
name, in a chest and threw it into a raging flood. 
The gods pitied the innocent ones and directed it to 
the island of Seriphus. 

The kings of the island, Dictys and Polydectes, 
were one day drawing a net from the sea. Great 
was their astonishment when they found a chest 
in the net and heard sorrowful moanings in its inte- 
rior. They opened it and the noble Danae stepped 
out with her beautiful son. Dictys took them home 
with him and cared for them as if they had been 
his own brother and sister. 

When Perseus reached his young manhood, he 
surpassed everyone in skill and dexterity in mar- 

[77] 


GODS AND HEROES 


tial sports. Polydectes conceived evil designs 
against the innocent Danae, and as he feared Per- 
seus he decided to send him out of the country. He 
soon found the opportunity. He gave a banquet 
to the leading men of the island, at which he an- 
nounced that he was going to take a wife. He also 
required each one of them to procure a beautiful 
horse for a wedding gift. In his youthful pre- 
sumptuousness Perseus said: “Whatever you wish 
I promise to do. Even should you request the head 
of the Gorgon, I would procure it for you.” 

The king replied: “Bring me the Gorgon’s head, 
but know this: If you do not keep your word, your 
mother Danae shall make compensation.” 

Troubled in mind, Perseus went to the seashore 
and confided his fears to the waves. Hermes, the 
divine messenger, at once appeared and promised 
his assistance. He conducted him to the house of 
Night in the extreme limits of the earth, where 
there is neither the golden light of the sun nor the 
mild lustre of the moon. The daughers of Phor- 
cus, the monster, who were gray at birth, dwelt 
in that fearful darkness. They had but one eye 

[78] 


PERSEUS 


and one tooth, common to them all. The fearless 
Perseus snatched from them both eye and tooth. 
They raised a frightful clamor and implored the 
youth to restore them. “It shall be done,” said 
Perseus, “if you will show me the way to the 
nymphs.” They did so, and he returned them. 

From the nymphs he received the cloak of Pluto, 
the winged shoes of Mercury, and the shield of 
Minerva. He donned the cloak which rendered him 
invisible, and fastened the winged shoes to his feet. 
Hermes gave him a sword. Then he rose in the air 
with his winged feet and in a trice reached Oceanus. 
There dwelt the sisters, the terrible Gorgons, whose 
heads were covered with snakes. The chill of death 
struck those who looked upon them, their breath 
left them, and they turned to stone. The monsters 
slept with their faces turned downwards. 

As Perseus courageously approached with his 
drawn sword, Hermes and Athene suddenly stood 
at his side, instructing him how to begin so as to 
keep his word. “Advance so you do not see the 
faces,” said they, “lest they turn you to stone. 
Draw your sword only against the middle one of 

[79] 


GODS AND HEROES 


the Gorgons, the Medusa, for she alone is mortal. 
When you have recognized her, raise this gleaming 
shield in which her face will be mirrored.” 

After these words, the immortals left the youth. 
Approaching nearer, he saw the figure of the Gor- 
gon on his shield. He raised his sword and struck 
off her head. He then seized it by the snaky 
hair, fastened it to his shield, and hurried away. 
The two living Gorgons awoke and swept the air 
with their wings, but could not catch the youth, as 
the cloak of Pluto hid him from their sight. 

On his way back, Perseus came to Ethiopia. 
The people there were in great trouble, for a dread- 
ful calamity had happened to them. The water 
of the sea was in flood and had brought with it a 
monster which devoured men and animals. The 
oracle was consulted and gave this answer: ‘‘Only 
when Andromeda, the king’s daughter, is given to the 
sea monster for food will the flood abate.” Although 
the noble maiden was greatly beloved, there was a 
universal demand to offer her up and save the coun- 
try. Andromeda was thereupon taken to a rock 
and securely bound to it. 

[80] 


PERSEUS 


Flying through the air, Perseus saw the maiden. 
He immediately descended and ascertained her 
fate. Then he hastened to the king and asked him 
if he would give his daughter to him for wife if he 
freed the country from the monster. The king 
promised that he would. 

Perseus betook himself to the shore and awaited 
the appearance of the monster. It soon emerged 
from the water and made for the rocks to devour 
the maiden. Perseus attacked and killed it after a 
hard fight. The waves of the sea at once receded 
and the country was freed from the pest. The 
king gave the victor his daughter for wife, and a 
great festival was held in his honor. 

After some time had elapsed, Perseus bethought 
himself of the promise he had made King Polydec- 
tes to bring him the Gorgon’s head, and therefore 
made his way with his wife to the island of Seri- 
phus, where Polydectes ruled in common with his 
brother. 

How astonished Polydectes was when he saw 
the hero returning whose death he had wished! 
Perseus held the head of Medusa before the king. 

[8i] 


GODS AND HEROES 


The sight of it turned him to stone instantly. When 
Polydectes had thus been punished, Perseus gave 
the Medusa’s head to Athene, who fastened it in 
the middle of her breastplate. The shield, cloak, 
and shoes he gave to Hermes, who returned them to 
the nymphs. 

Perseus now went back to Argos, his homeland. 
When Acrisius heard he was approaching the castle, 
he fled to the Pelasgians. Perseus followed him and 
found him there. He implored him to return with 
him to Argos and promised that he would do him 
no harm. This reassured Acrisius and he agreed to 
follow him. 

On the day fixed for their departure a contest 
was arranged by the Pelasgians in which Perseus 
took part. He engaged in disk throwing and Per- 
seus struck his grandfather upon the foot with the 
disk, which led to his illness and death. Thus the 
prophecy was fulfilled. 

Perseus lived long and happily with his wife An- 
dromeda, who bore him six sons and two daughters. 


[82] 


Chapter XII 


Cadmus 


ENOR, hearing of the extraordinary abduc- 



tion of Europa,^ called his son Cadmus 


^ to him and ordered him to bring back the 
maiden or never again enter his house. Cadmus 
wandered over the earth for a long time, but could 
nowhere find his sister. As he did not dare to ven- 
ture home without her, he consulted the oracle 
and asked where she might dwell. 

The oracle replied: “In a lonely field you will 
find a young steer which has never worn a yoke. 
Follow it, and where it lies down in the soft grass 
to rest, there build a city. It shall be called Thebes, 
and the country round about, Boeotia.’’ 

Cadmus left the cave in which he had heard 

‘ Europa, daughter of Agenor and sister of Cadmus, was abducted 
by Zeus, who took her to Crete. She was the mother of Minos and 
Rhadamanthus, judges in the lower world. 


[83] 


GODS AND HEROES 


the voice of the deity and soon found the steer 
which had never worn a yoke. He followed it with 
his companions, humbly supplicating Apollo. The 
steer led him afar, but at last stopped, turned its 
head towards him and his companions, and loudly 
lowed. Then it laid down in the soft grass. 

Cadmus knelt down, kissed the soil, and greeted 
the surrounding fields, mountains, and forests. 
Then turning to his companions he said: “Arise, 
and bring water that we may make an offering to 
Zeus, the all-powerful.” > 

There was a forest nearby which had never been 
touched by the axe. In the centre of this forest 
they found a cavern, grown round about with 
bushes, from which an abundance of water gushed. 
This cavern was the lair of a dragon. The body of 
the monster was swollen with poison. Fire darted 
from its eyes, its crest gleamed golden, its tongue 
was thrice cloven, and there were triple rows of 
teeth in its jaws. 

As the men, suspecting no danger, made their 
way through the forest, they heard the plashing of 
water. Joyously they hastened towards it and came 

[84] 


CADMUS 


to the cavern. But hardly had they dipped their 
buckets into the water before the dragon awoke 
from its sleep. It raised itself and beheld the vic- 
tims who had approached it so unsuspectingly. 
Suddenly the men heard a frightful hissing, and 
as they looked around they saw the dragon’s 
bluish head emerging from the cavern. They 
dropped their buckets. Their faces grew deadly 
pale and their limbs trembled. In the meantime 
the dragon coiled its scaly body and arched itself 
over the men so that they could not fly. Not one 
of them escaped. The monster tore some with its 
teeth, killed some by strangling them in its coils, 
and the rest were killed by the poisonous breath 
from its throat. 

It was already midday, and as the men had not 
returned, Cadmus decided to search for them. He 
threw around him the shaggy lion’s skin which 
served for a cloak and donned his glittering hel- 
met. He took two spears with him. He had not 
gone far before he saw the dragon and under it his 
dead companions, whose wounds the horrible mon- 
ster was licking. 


[85] 


GODS AND HEROES 


“I will have revenge or die like you,” he cried. 
He seized a huge rock and hurled it at the dragon 
with such force that it might have shattered a tower, 
but it did not harm the monster. The rock glanced 
from its scaly hide and fell heavily to the ground. 
Deep into its back he hurled a spear, the point of 
which penetrated its entrails. The monster reared, 
bent its neck, and seized the spear with its teeth. 
It jerked it one side and the other powerfully and 
at last tore it out. But it had only taken out the 
handle. The iron remained sticking in the entrails. 
In its fury its eyes flashed fire terribly, its veins 
and throat swelled, and white foam flew from 
its poisonous jaws. Next it coiled itself, with 
a terrible rattling of its scales, and hurled it- 
self at Cadmus with the swiftness of lightning. 
Cadmus sprang one side and plunged his second 
spear into the dragon’s neck. The spear glanced, 
the dragon turned its neck, seized it, and broke it 
to pieces. Cadmus thereupon drew his sword and 
drove it into its neck with such force that it not 
only ran it through, but also penetrated an oak, 
thus holding the dragon fastened to the tree. It 
[ 86 ] 


CADMUS 


coiled itself around the trunk and lashed it with 
its tail until it shook. Cadmus sprang back, for 
the air was poisonous near the monster. Blood and 
foam streamed from its neck and at last it died. 

As Cadmus advanced to look at the monster, 
Athene suddenly appeared at his side and said: 
“Cadmus, make a circle in the ground with your 
sword and furrow it and sow in the furrows the 
teeth of the dead dragon.’’ 

Athene disappeared and Cadmus set about the 
work. He furrowed the soil with his strong arms, 
took the dragon’s teeth, scattered them in the fur- 
rows, and covered them with earth. Lo, instantly 
the clods stirred, spear points pierced upwards, 
followed by glittering helmets, bearded heads, and 
at last the bodies of armed men. The human 
crop increased until at last a troop of warriors stood 
before him. Cadmus sprang to his weapons, but 
one of the warriors said: “Do not arm yourself, 
Cadmus, but avoid the contest.” 

Thereupon the warriors began to attack each 
other and a mighty struggle ensued. Only five of 
them survived. Their weapons were thrown to the 

[87] 


GODS AND HEROES 


ground and they made peace with each other. 
The five followed the brave Cadmus and helped 
him to build the city upon the spot designated 
by -the oracle. He named it Thebes, as Apollo 
had ordered. 1 

‘ Cadmus is also reputed to have been the introducer of the letters 
of the Greek alphabet. 


[ 88 ] 


Chapter XIII 

Dionysus [Bacchus) 


D ionysus (Bacchus) was the son of Zeus 
and Semele, daughter of Cadmus of 
Thebes. By the orders of Zeus the child 
was intrusted to Hermes, to be taken to Nysa, 
a majestic island with clear flowing streams and 
ever green meadows. The fruit-bearing trees are 
covered with vine clusters and the ocean breezes 
temper the sun’s heat. In the midst of this island 
is a beautiful valley. The tops of the trees are so 
closely interwoven that neither a sun ray nor a drop 
of rain can penetrate them. There is a cavern 
there, whose rocky arches gleam with variegated 
colors. Upon either side are lofty trees, some in 
continual blossom, others loaded with spicy fruit. 
Brilliantly plumaged birds nest in the trees and their 
songs are wonderfully melodious. Flowers grow 
beneath the trees, filling the air with perennial 

[89] 


GODS AND HEROES 


perfume. There are also resting places for the 
nymphs there; not made by men, but fashioned by 
nature. One never sees a withered flower there, nor 
a dry leaf, nor a trace of decay. 

Hermes took the child there to be brought up 
by the nymphs. The boy, named Dionysus (Bac- 
chus), grew rapidly and travelled over various coun- 
tries to teach men vine growing. He went to Egypt 
and Syria and received from Rhea, mother of 
Zeus, his India coat, variegated deerskin, and 
thyrsus. He next passed through the golden vales 
of Lydia, the sunny plains of Phrygia and Persia, 
and the rough country of Media. He visited Arabia 
the blest and nearly all Asia paid him reverence. 
He rode in a gold-gleaming chariot, drawn by leop- 
ards. A multitude of cupids, nymphs, fauns, and 
satyrs followed him. The old and continually 
drunken Silenus also belonged to his retinue, which 
accompanied its pseans with the clash of cymbals 
and the music of Phrygian flutes. 

Once it happened that Silenus fell asleep in a wood 
and was left behind. Some Lydian peasants found 
the old man and carried him upon a litter of branches 

[90] 


DIONYSUS (BACCHUS) 


to their king, Midas,* at whose palace Bacchus later 
arrived. Finding that Silenus had been hospit- 
ably entertained, Bacchus assured Midas that any 
wish of his should be granted. Midas requested 
that whatever he touched might turn to gold. The 
request was granted, but Midas soon found that 
his wish would prove fatal, for not only water and 
wine, but fruit and all kinds of food, turned to gold 
when he touched them. Repenting his folly, he 
implored Bacchus to recall the gift. Taking pity 
upon him, Bacchus ordered him to bathe in the river 
Pactolus, having done which, he was soon relieved. 
From that time the sands of that river became 
gold. 

Dionysus next came to the country of Edoni, 
free passage through which had been promised him 
by Lycurgus, its prince. When he encamped in 
the woods with his train he was suddenly attacked 
by the treacherous prince. He placed himself 
under the protection of the sea goddess, Thetis, 
but he and his retinue were taken prisoners and 
fettered. The punishment of this misdeed came 
quickly. Lycurgus was seized by an incurable 

[91] 


GODS AND HEROES 


madness, and thinking his own son was a vine he 
cut off his hands and feet with an axe. But when 
he saw the bleeding body lying upon the earth he 
realized what he had done and released Bacchus. 
But retribution was not yet complete. The earth 
bore nothing for his people a whole year long. The 
Edonians in despair consulted the oracle, which 
announced that full compensation could be ren- 
dered only by the death of the king. He was 
seized and taken to the mountain of Pangaeus 
where he was torn to pieces by wild horses. 

Bacchus next went to Thebes, the city of his 
birth. The palace was in ashes and his mother 
had perished in it, struck down by Zeus’ thunder- 
bolts. The gray Cadmus was still living, but no 
longer ruled the city. Pentheus was its prince and 
to him came the blind seer Tiresias announcing the 
approach of Bacchus. He was enraged at the words 
of the seer and rebuked the Thebans when he saw 
them arraying themselves to meet him. “Is it 
possible,” he exclaimed, “that you have forgotten 
your origin? Your fathers were heroes and you 
would bow before a boy who smears his tresses with 

[92] 


DIONYSUS (feACCHUS) 


balsams, wears a wreath of vine leaves in place of 
a helmet, and a purple cloak in place of armor?” 

Thereupon he despatched his servants with orders 
to seize Bacchus and bind him. His friends were 
alarmed when they heard this order. Their en- 
treaties were useless; he only adhered more firmly 
to his purpose. It was not long before the servants 
returned, bringing Bacchus in fetters. Pentheus 
said to his people jubilantly: “Now, you know 
what fools you were,” and ordered Bacchus to be 
imprisoned. Then he sent his servants to arrest 
the whole train, when something wonderful occurred. 
The earth shook, flames played about the columns 
of the palace, and Bacchus rose in majesty from 
his prison. The king was terrified and tried to 
escape. But he could not avoid his punishment. 
He was suddenly seized with a longing to witness 
the revels of Bacchus’ followers. Bacchus ordered 
that he should appear to them as a wild animal. 
With fearful cries the Bacchantes rushed upon him 
and killed him. 

From Thebes Bacchus went to Argos, and from 
thence he decided to cross over to Naxos, and made 

[93] 


GODS AND HEROES 


his arrangements with some sea robbers. Not 
knowing him, they decided to sell him as a slave 
and pass by Naxos. Suddenly they beheld a stream 
of wine flowing over the deck and filling the whole 
vessel with its perfume. Red clusters of grapes 
hung from the sails. Wreaths of flowers and fruits 
extended up the mast to the pennant. The crew 
were overcome with astonishment. “A divinity 
directs the ship,” cried the most sensible of them; 
“let us sail to Naxos.” But it was too late. Bac- 
chus suddenly stood on the deck in the form of a 
lion, seized the leader of the pirates, and tore him 
to pieces. When the others saw his fate, they sprang 
into the sea and were changed to dolphins. Thus 
Bacchus punished their misdeeds. After found- 
ing many temples he took his mother Semele to 
Olympus. 


[94] 


Chapter XIV 

Actaon 


ACTiEON was the son of the hunt-loving 
deity, Aristaeus, and Autonoe, daughter 
^ of Cadmus. When he had passed the 
childhood age he was taken to the woody mountain 
of Pelion by the wise centaur, Chiron, and trained 
as a robust hunter. It was his greatest pleasure to 
hunt in the valleys and mountains. One day he 
hunted with some jovial companions in the forests 
of Mount Cithaeron until midday, when it grew so 
hot that he rested in the cool shade of the trees. 
While reposing, he called his companions to him 
and said: “We have game enough. Our steel and 
traps are drenched with blood. Let us end hunting 
for to-day. When the sun rises in the morning we 
will resume the joyous sport.’’ Thus he spoke and 
dismissed his willing companions. Then he went 
with his hounds deeper into the forest to find a 

I9S] 


GODS AND HEROES 


cool, shadowy spot where he could sleep through the 
heat of the noon and rest his wearied limbs. 

He reached a valley full of fir trees and lofty 
cypresses, called Gargaphia, which was sacred to 
Artemis. Deep in a corner of the valley he found 
a leafy grotto. The rocky arch seemed to be the 
product of human skill, but was the work of nature. 
A stream murmured gently along, whose clear 
water, bordered by green turf, broadened out into 
a wide pool. This was the spot where the goddess, 
tired with the chase, bathed her sacred limbs. She 
was in the grotto, attended by her nymphs, one of 
whom took her hunting spear and bow. Another 
relieved the goddess of her cloak, and two of them 
unloosed her sandals. The beautiful Crocale, clev- 
erest of them all, fastened her tresses together in a 
knot. Then her attendants filled urns with water 
and poured it over the goddess. 

While the goddess was thus enjoying her bath, 
Actaeon approached through the bushes by an un- 
trodden way. Evil destiny led him to the sacred 
haunt of Artemis’ grotto. Unsuspecting any harm, 
he entered, delighted to have found such a cool 

[96] 


ACTION 


resting place. When the nymphs beheld a man, 
they cried aloud and crowded about their mistress 
to conceal her with their bodies; but being a head 
taller, the goddess towered above them all. Her 
glowing face wore a wrathful look, and her eyes were 
sternly fixed upon the intruder, who stood motion- 
less, surprised, and dazzled by the wondrous sight. 

It would have been better for the unfortunate Ac- 
tseon had he fled at once, for the goddess suddenly 
bent her head, dipped up water with her hand, 
sprinkled it over the face and hair of the youth, 
and said in a threatening tone: “What thou hast 
seen, now tell to men, if thou canst.” Hardly had 
the last word been uttered when unspeakable distress 
seized him. Swiftly he dashed off, and in his run- 
ning was amazed by his speed. The unfortunate 
one did not notice that antlers sprang from his head, 
that his neck was longer, that his ears were pointed, 
his arms changed to legs, and his hands to hoofs. 
His limbs were covered with a dappled skin. He was 
no longer .a man, but had been changed by the wrath- 
ful goddess to a stag. As he fled, he saw his image 
mirrored in the water. “Woe is me,” he would have 

[97] 


GODS AND HEROES 


cried, but his voice was mute and no word escaped 
from his groaning breast. He could only utter a 
sigh of despair. Tears poured from his eyes, but 
not upon human cheeks. Only his heart, his old 
recollection, remained. 

What should he do now? Return to his grand- 
father’s palace? Conceal himself in the depths of 
the forest? While thus torn by the conflicting emo- 
tions of fear and shame, his hounds saw him. The 
whole pack, fifty in number, rushed upon the imag- 
inary stag. Eager for their prey, they chased him 
over mountain and valley, jagged rocks and yawn- 
ing abysses. Thus the despairing one, himself 
the hunted, fled over well-known regions where 
he had often hunted wild animals. Twice he 
would have turned and cried, “Spare me! I am Ac- 
taeon.” But he was speechless. Baying furiously, 
the leader of the pack overtook him and seized 
him by the neck, while all the others rushed upon 
him and tore him with their sharp teeth. The 
victim groaned heavily; no stag ever groaned that 
way, and yet it was not a human groan. Like one 
praying he fell upon his knees, and in mute anguish 

[98] 


ACTiEON 


turned his face towards his assailants. At this 
instant his companions, hearing the baying of the 
hounds, came up. With their usual call they in- 
cited the hounds and then shouted for their master, 
whom they believed was not far away. “Actseon,” 
rang through the forest, “where art thou.? Come 
and behold this wonderful capture.” Thus they 
cried as the unfortunate victim was killed by the 
spears of his own friends. 

After Actseon had thus wretchedly perished, his 
hounds began to miss their loved master. Baying 
and whining, they sought the lost one everywhere, 
until at last they came to Chiron’s cavern. Chiron 
made a bronze image of Actseon so much like him 
that it deceived them. When the hounds saw it 
they sprang upon it, licked the hands and feet, and 
acted as joyfully as if they had found their real 
master again. 


[99] 








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Chapter XV 

Dcedalus and Icarus 


D iEDALUS of Athens was a son of Me- 
tion, grandson of Erectheus. He was 
the most skilful man of his time — an 
architect, sculptor, and stone worker. His works 
were admired in various parts of the world, and his 
statues were said to live, move, and see; for while 
the statues of earlier artists had their eyes closed 
and the hands not separated from the body, he was 
the first one who gave open eyes to his statues, 
extended the hands, and represented the feet as 
walking. But skilful, zealous, and active as he 
was in his work, he had vices which brought him 
into trouble. He had a nephew, named Talos, 
who was his pupil, and who displayed even more 
skill than his uncle and master. He discovered 
the potter’s wheel. He also took the jaw of a 
snake and copied it in iron, cutting into it a row of 

[ loi ] 


GODS AND HEROES 


continuous teeth, thus inventing the saw. He also 
invented the lathe and many useful instruments 
without assistance from his teacher, which made him 
famous. 

Daedalus, fearing that the name of his scholar 
might become more renowned than his own, 
grew so jealous that he killed the boy by hurl- 
ing him down from the castle at Athens. While 
engaged in burying him, he was surprised by the 
authorities and pretended he was burying a snake. 
At last he was brought before the Areopagus, 
charged with murder, and was found guilty. He 
managed to escape, however, and at first wandered 
about in Attica, but finally fled to the island of 
Crete. There he met King Minos, became his 
friend, and was highly esteemed as a renowned artist. 
He was chosen to make a house for the Minotaur, 
a monster resembling a bull from its head to its 
shoulders, the remainder of its body being like a 
man, and to construct it so that the monster would 
be entirely removed from human sight. The in- 
ventive genius of Daedalus produced the Laby- 
rinth, a structure full of complicated windings, 

[ 102] 


DiEDALUS AND ICARUS 


confusing both to the eyes and feet of those who 
entered it. When it was finished and Daedalus 
began to look it over, the builder himself found 
his way back to the opening only with the great- 
est difficulty. The Minotaur was kept in the very 
centre of this Labyrinth, its food being seven youths 
and seven maidens sent to it periodically from 
Athens. 

In the meantime Daedalus began to weary of his 
long banishment from home. It vexed him that 
he must spend his life upon an island exposed to 
the caprices of a tyrannical and cruel king. After 
long consideration, he at last joyfully exclaimed: 
‘‘I have found the way to escape. Minos may be 
master of land and water, but the sky is free to 
me. He has no power over that. Through the 
air I will escape.” No sooner said than done. He 
began by arranging bird feathers of different sizes 
in regular order. These feathers he fastened in the 
middle with waxed linen cords. He then bent the 
joined feathers in such perfect curves that they 
clearly resembled wings. Daedalus had a boy, 
named Icarus, who stood by him and eagerly 

[103] 


GODS AND HEROES 


meddled, childlike, with his father’s work. All of a 
sudden he took some of the feathers and deftly 
kneaded the wax, which his father had been using, 
with his thumb and forefinger. The father smiled at 
the unassisted exertions of the child. After his work 
was finished Daedalus fastened the wings to his body, 
balanced them equally, and sailed through the air 
as lightly as a bird. Then, descending to earth, 
he constructed a smaller pair for his son and in- 
structed him how to use them. “Always fly, my 
dear son, in the middle course,” he said. “If you 
fly too low your wings may become so dampened by 
the sea air that they will grow heavy and you may 
fall into the waves, and if you mount too high and 
go too near the sunbeams your feathers may sud- 
denly take fire. Fly between sea and sky and always 
follow in my course.” After these warnings Daeda- 
lus fastened his wings on Icarus’ shoulders, though 
the old man’s hands trembled as he did so, and 
anxious tears dropped upon them. He then em- 
braced his son and kissed him for the last time. 

The two rose in air. The father led the way, flying 
as natural as a bird He moved his wings easily and 

[ 104] 


D.EDALUS AND ICARUS 


skilfully and from time to time looked back to see 
how his son was succeeding. They soon passed the 
island of Samos at the left and flew by the islands 
of Delos and Paros. Several other localities were left 
behind them when suddenly Icarus, who had grown 
over-confident, forsook his paternal guide to reach a 
higher altitude. He soon encountered the danger 
his father predicted. The proximity of the sun 
weakened the wax which held his wings together 
and they became detached from his shoulders. 
The unfortunate youth tried to keep in air with 
his bare arms, but it was in vain and he suddenly 
plunged downwards with the name of his father on 
his lips; but before he could call for help he sank in 
the sea’s blue depths. It all happened so quickly 
that Daedalus, when he looked back for his son, 
could see nothing of him. “Icarus, Icarus,” he 
shouted in the vacant sky, “where and in what 
region of air shall I seek thee.^” At last he cast 
an anxious glance downward and saw the feathers 
floating on the water. He descended and wandered 
from shore to shore seeking the body of his unfor- 
tunate child, and at last found it. The murder of 

[105] 


GODS AND HEROES 


Tales was avenged. The despairing father attended 
to the burial of his son, upon an island which 
in lasting memory of the tragic event is called 
Icaria. 

After Daedalus had buried his son he went to the 
large island of Sicily, where King Cocalus ruled. 
He met with the same hospitable reception which 
Minos once extended to him, and his skill created 
universal astonishment. He constructed an arti- 
ficial lake from which issued a broad river empty- 
ing into the neighboring sea. Upon a barren and 
almost insurmountable cliff, which had hardly room 
for a couple of trees, he built a strong fortress 
approached by a winding way which could be 
defended by three or four men. King Cocalus 
used this impregnable castle as a storehouse for his 
treasures. The third work of Daedalus was a deep 
cavern on the island of Sicily. Here he overcame the 
reek of internal fires so skilfully that a visit to the 
cavern, which was usually so damp, became as 
agreeable as if it were a mildly warmed room and 
the body experienced a gentle perspiration without 
being overheated. He also enlarged the temple 
[io6] 


DiEDALUS AND ICARUS 


of Aphrodite (V enus) upon Mount Eryx ^ and dedi- 
cated to the goddess a golden honeycomb so skil- 
fully made that it was difficult to tell it from a 
real one. 

When King Minos, whose island Daedalus for- 
sook, learned that he had fled to Sicily he resolved 
to follow him with a strong force. He organized 
a fleet and set out from Crete to Agrigentum. 
There he disembarked his troops and sent messen- 
gers to King Cocalus, demanding the surrender of 
the fugitive. But Cocalus was enraged at this inva- 
sion by a foreign tyrant and determined to find some 
way of destroying him. He pretended to consent, 
promised to comply with his wishes in every way, 
and invited him to an interview. Minos came and 
was received by Cocalus with the greatest hospi- 
tality. A warm bath was prepared to relieve him 
of fatigue, but when he sat in the tub it was so soon 
overheated that Minos was suffocated. The king 
sent his body to the Cretans who came with him, 
informing them that Minos had slipped and fallen 

* Eryx, a city and mountain in western Sicily, now known as Monte 
San Giuliano, near Palermo. 


[ 107] 


GODS AND HEROES 


into the hot water in the tub. Minos was taken 
with great pomp by his warriors to Agrigentum and 
above his grave a temple of Venus was built. Daeda- 
lus remained in the continuous favor of Cocalus, 
educated many famous artists, and was the foun- 
der of art in Sicily. But he was never happy after 
the death of his son, and while he enriched the coun- 
try which had given him refuge, with beautiful 
art works, his old age was sorrowful and full of 
troubles. He died upon the island and was buried 
there. 


[ io8] 


Chapter XVI 

Philemon and Baucis 


U PON a hill in the land of Phrygia stands 
a thousand year old oak, and close by 
it a linden of the same age, both sur- 
rounded by a low wall. Many a wreath has been 
hung upon the boughs of the neighborly pair. Not 
far from them extends a swampy lake into which 
empties a shallow stream. Where in former times 
people dwelt, now only herons and ducks rove about. 
Once Father Zeus came to this spot with his son 
Hermes carrying only his wand, but not his winged 
cap. They were seeking hospitality in human form. 
They knocked at a thousand doors praying shelter 
for the night. But the people were so disobliging 
that the heavenly visitants could not anywhere 
find lodging. At the end of the village was a 
hut, humble and small, covered with straw and 
rushes. In this poor house lived a happy couple, 

[109] 


GODS AND HEROES 


honest Philemon and Baucis, his wife, of the same 
age. They had spent their joyous youth together 
there, and there they had grown white-haired. 
They made no complaint of their poverty, but quietly 
bore their hard lot, united in love, and although 
childless, they were content in the mean little house 
which they alone occupied together. 

As the high deities approached this humble 
roof and entered the low passageway with bowed 
heads, the honest 'couple met them with a hearty 
greeting. The old man placed seats for them, and 
Baucis, clad in a coarse dress, begged them to rest 
themselves. The little mother busied herself about 
the hearth, stirred up the ashes, piled up dry leaves 
and brushwood, and kindled a fire. Then she 
brought split wood and placed it under the little 
kettle hanging over the fire. In the meantime 
Philemon brought cabbage from his well-watered 
garden, deftly unleaved it, took down a side of 
smoked pork with his two-tined fork from the ceil- 
ing, and cut a huge piece from the shoulder to put 
into the boiling water. That the time might not 
seem too long to the strangers, they exerted them- 

[ no] 


PHILEMON AND BAUCIS 


selves to entertain them with light conversation. 
They also poured water into the wooden tub so 
that they could enjoy a foot bath. Smiling in a 
friendly way, the gods accepted these proffers, and 
while they were stretching their feet comfortably in 
the water their gracious host prepared the couch- 
bed, which stood in the middle of the room. The 
cushions were stuffed with rushes and the feet and 
frame were made of woven willow. Philemon 
brought carpetings which were only kept for feast 
days, — how old and poor they were! — and the 
divine guests prepared to enjoy the meal which was 
now ready. The little mother, in her neat apron, 
placed with trembling hands the three-legged table 
before the couch, and as it would not stand very 
securely, she raised it slightly by placing something 
under it. Then she rubbed the plates with fresh 
mint and food was set before them. There were 
olives, cornelian cherries, preserved in clear thick 
sirup, also radishes, endives, fine cheese, and eggs 
cooked in the ashes. Baucis brought all these in 
earthen dishes, besides a showily colored pitcher and 
neat cups of beechwood, glazed on the inside with 

[III] 


GODS AND HEROES 


yellow wax, filled with milk, for they had no wine. 
Nuts, figs, and dates were brought for desert, and 
two dishes filled with plums and spicy apples. In 
the middle of the table was a whitish honeycomb. 
But the finest seasoning of the meal was the good 
friendly faces of the honest old couple, testifying to 
their honesty and generosity. 

As all were enjoying the food and drink, Phile- 
mon observed that the pitcher contained wine 
instead of milk and that in spite of emptying 
of the cups they were continually refilled. Then 
he recognized with surprise and fear whom he 
was entertaining. In distress he flew to his old 
companion with upraised arms and downcast 
eyes and implored her to know what they should 
offer to their heavenly guests. Suddenly it occurred 
to them that they might offer their only goose. 
Both ran out, but the goose was faster than they. 
Hissing and flapping its wings, it ran here and there, 
outdistancing the old people. Finally it ran into 
the house and crouched behind the guests, as if 
seeking divine protection. And it did not seek in 
vain. 

[ II2]! 


PHILEMON AND BAUCIS 


The guests restrained the ardor of the old people 
and said with a laugh: “We are gods who have 
come to earth to test the generosity of men. We 
found your neighbors wicked and they shall be pun- 
ished. But you shall leave this house and follow 
us to the summit of the mountain, so that you shall 
not suffer with the guilty ones.” Both obeyed, and 
leaning upon their staffs they wearisomely climbed 
the mountain. They were not an arrow’s flight 
from the highest peak when they anxiously looked 
down and saw the whole place changed into a raging 
waste of waters, and of all the houses only their 
own little one remained. While they stood aston- 
ished and bewailed the fate of the others, behold 
the poor old hut towered above the waters as a 
temple. A golden roof was supported on its col- 
umns and its floors were of marble. Zeus turned 
to the trembling old people and said: “Tell me, 
honest old man and worthy wife of the honest old 
man, what do you most wish?” Philemon ex- 
changed a few words with his wife and then said: 
“We would be your priests. Permit us to serve 
in that temple. And as we have so long lived 


GODS AND HEROES 


together, let us die at the same hour. Then I 
shall never see the grave of my dear wife nor will 
she have to bury me.” 

Their wish was granted. As long as they 
lived they served in the temple. And once, 
when weary with the weight of age and years, 
they were standing on the sacred steps, thinking 
of their wonderful fate, Baucis saw her Phile- 
mon and Philemon his Baucis disappearing and 
floating away to the distant height. “Farewell, 
dear one. Farewell, beloved one,” said each as 
long as they could speak. Thus ended the worthy 
pair. He was turned into an oak and she into a 
linden, and thus they remained as close together in 
death as they had been in life. Goodness is prized 
by the gods. They bestow honors upon those who 
prove themselves worthy. 


[ 114] 


Chapter XVII 

Arachne 


I N Hypaipa, a little city of Lydia, dwelt a maiden 
of lowly birth named Arachne. Idmon, her 
father, was a dyer at Colophon and her mother, 
who died early, was born of poor parents. The name 
of Arachne was famous in Lydia, for she surpassed 
all human women in skill and industry in weaving. 
The nymphs of the vine-clad mountain of Tmolus 
and of the river Pactolus came to her poor cottage 
to watch her work. Never were skill and grace 
more closely united. Whether she was first prepar- 
ing the coarse wool, or drawing the threads finer 
and finer, or revolving the spindle with nimble 
thumbs, or stitching with the needle, it always seemed 
as if Pallas Athene herself must have instructed 
her. Arachne knew nothing about it, but she often 
declared in an offended tone: “I did not get my skill 
from the goddess. Let her come and try her skill 

[115I 


GODS AND HEROES 


with me. If she defeats me I will bear any pen- 
alty.’’ 

Athene was very angry when she heard this 
boast, assumed the form of a little old woman, 
covered her brow with gray hair, and leaning for 
support upon a staff, came to Arachne’s cottage 
and thus began: “The years bring experience to 
gray old age. Therefore despise not my advice. 
Seek for the glory of surpassing all mortals with 
your skill, but meekly submit to the gods. Im- 
plore pardon for your haughty words and all will 
be forgiven you.” Arachne’s countenance dark- 
ened, and she angrily replied: “Thou art foolish, 
old one. The burden of the years has weakened thy 
senses. It is not good to live long. Preach such 
silliness to thy daughter. I need none of thy ad- 
vice and spurn thy admonitions. Why does not 
Pallas herself come.? Why does she avoid the trial 
with me?” The goddess could not longer restrain 
herself. “She is here now,” she cried, as she 
threw off her disguise and stood before her in her 
own image. 

The nymphs and the Lydian women who were 

[ii6] 


ARACHNE 


present fell humbly at her feet, but Arachne did 
not tremble. A fleeting blush reddened her face 
and she resolutely adhered to her purpose. Urged 
on by her foolish vanity, she exposed herself to 
the penalty of which she had been warned. The 
daughter of Zeus lost no time in further attempts 
to dissuade her, but undertook the trial. Seating 
themselves, the weaving began. Purple and a 
thousand other colors, distracting to eyes not used 
to them, were skilfully woven together. Threads 
of gold ran through the webs, and wonderful pic- 
tures astonished the eyes of the spectators. Athene 
fashioned the clilfs of the Athenian mount and their 
contest with the sea god for possession of the land. 
Twelve gods with Zeus in the centre sat there, seri- 
ous and dignified. Here stood Poseidon as he struck 
the rocks with his trident. There appeared the 
goddess herself, the divine artist, armed with shield 
and lance, her helmet on her head, the terrible 
segis on her breast, teaching men for the first time 
the culture of the olive tree, and causing it to spring 
from the unfruitful earth with the point of her spear. 
Thus Athene wove her own victory in the web. 

[1171 


GODS AND HEROES 


In the four corners she worked four examples of 
human pride which have tragic results from the 
vengeance of the gods. In the first corner were 
the Thracian king, Harnus, and his wife Rhodope, 
who called themselves Zeus and Hera and were 
changed into mountain peaks. In another corner 
was the unhappy mother of the Pygmsei, who, over- 
come by Hera, was changed to a crane, and fought 
her own children. In the third corner was Antig- 
one, the charming daughter of Laomedon, who was 
so proud of her beauty and her tresses that she 
likened herself to Hera. The goddess changed her 
tresses to snakes which bit and tormented her until 
Zeus, pitying her, turned her into a stork. In 
the last Pallas pictured Einyras, weeping over the 
fate of his daughter, who because of her pride was 
changed by Hera to a stone step before one of her 
temples. All these pictures Athene wove and sur- 
rounded them with a wreath of olive leaves. 

Arachne wove in her web many pictures illustrat- 
ing the disreputable actions of Zeus and surrounded 
them with a wreath of ivy and blossoms. When 
she had finished her work Athene could not find 
[ii8] 


ARACHNE 


fault with the skill of the maiden, but she was 
enraged with the sacrilege of the weaver. She 
suddenly tore the web to pieces and struck the 
maiden three times on the forehead with the spindle 
which she held in her hand. The unfortunate 
one could not endure this. Madness seized her and 
she hanged herself with a rope. As she was sus- 
pended in the air, the goddess had compassion upon 
her and said: “Live, but hang there, thou audacious 
one. And so shall thy whole race to the latest 
generation be punished.” With these words she 
sprinkled Arachne with a few magic drops and went 
away. The hair, nose, and ears of the maiden 
disappeared and she shrank into a small and noxious 
insect. And the spider to-day still weaves its web 
— the old art. 


[119] 






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Chapter XVIII 

Hyacinthus 


T he youngest of the sons of the Laconian 
king, Amyclas, was Hyacinthus. Phoebus 
Apollo beheld the beautiful boy, who 
soon became his favorite. He sought at first to 
elevate him to Olympus that he might be ever near 
him; but a sad fate prevented this and cut him 
down in the very flower of his youth. 

Apollo often forsook sacred Delphi in order 
to enjoy the company of his favorite at the 
river of Eurotas in the neighborhood of the 
unwalled city of Sparta. He left his lyre and 
bow and joined Hyacinthus in hunting among 
the hills of Taygetus. Once at noontime, when 
the sun was sending down its hottest rays, both 
threw aside their garments, anointed their bodies 
with oil, and began throwing the discus. 

Apollo was the first to take the heavy weight and 

[I2l] 


GODS AND HEROES 


hurled it so powerfully that it pierced the clouds. 
He waited long for the discus to fall to earth again. 
Eager to imitate his teacher, the boy sprang for- 
ward to make his throw, but suddenly was felled 
to the earth by Apollo’s discus. Apollo rushed to 
him and sought to animate his stiffened limbs. He 
wiped the blood from the dreadful wounds, applied 
healing balms, and sought to stay the fleeing spirit 
of his favorite. But it was in vain. Like a broken 
flower in the garden, the poor boy’s head drooped, 
exhausted, upon Apollo’s breast. Apollo called 
him tender names and bedewed his face with bitter 
tears. Oh, that he were not a god so that he might 
die for him! 

At last he cried out: “No, sweet child, thou 
shalt not wholly die. As a flower thou shalt tell 
of my sorrow.” As Apollo said this, lo, from the 
streaming blood which reddened the grass sprang a 
flower of dark lustre like Tyrian purple, lily formed 
upon a stalk rich in blossoms, and showing upon its 
little leaves in clear form the sigh of the god: “A I, 
A I”; that is, “Alas! Alas!” 

Thus originated the Spring flower which bears 
[122] 


H YACINTHUS 


the name of the favorite of the god and speedily 
dies as did he — a type of the transitoriness 
of all beautiful things on earth. In Laconia when 
the Summer came they always had a great fes- 
tival in honor of Hyacinthus and his divine friends, 
the hyacinths, whereby they kept the boy in mem- 
ory — sorrowfully, as one who perished early, but 
joyously, as one beloved of the gods and deified. 


[123] 



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